Adrian College football ready for 1st home playoff game

Saturday's NCAA Division III football playoff game is a classic matchup with Adrian College's strong, young defense taking on an experienced, explosive Franklin (Ind.) College offense.

For the first time in program history, the MIAA champion Bulldogs are hosting a playoff game. Kickoff is set for noon at the Multi-sport Performance Stadium.

Both teams are riding winning streaks. Adrian (9-1) lost their season opener to Carthage, before ripping off nine straight wins, capped with a 17-16 comeback win at Huntingdon College (Ala.) Franklin (8-2) lost its first two games before winning its final eight.

Adrian coach Jim Deere said the Bulldogs are not just happy to make the postseason.

They want more.

"You can't be satisfied with what you've done," Deere said. "You've got to keep focused on the prize. The college campus is electric right now. It's semi-distracting, but it's great for the students and great for the team. But we've still got to prepare."

Adrian ranks fourth nationally in both scoring defense (11.2) and total defense (225.0 yards per game). The Bulldogs did not yield a touchdown in the first three MIAA games and allowed only 40 points to league opponents. Adrian had one shutout, but never allowed more than 23 points in a game this season.

Adrian's dominance on defense showed in the numbers, as the Bulldogs allowed only 2.9 yards per rush and 89.9 rushing yards per game. The pass defense was nearly as good, allowing only 135 yards per game and only six touchdown passes.

"Numbers are all well and good, but don't tell the entire story," Deere said. "You're going to see two very similar teams out there. Both have a lot of speed.

"What I like about our team is we are really resilient. We have been growing up this season. I think we really came together during the bye week. We learned how to prepare for the challenges ahead. Our kids have learned how to win."

This will be Adrian's third NCAA playoff appearance. They lost the first two to Augustana College (Ill.) in 1983 and 1988.

This season, the Bulldogs took their first outright MIAA championship since 1983. They lead the all-time series with Franklin 2-0, posting wins in 2002 and 2003.

The Grizzlies were defeated in their first two games of the season, 45-7 by perennial power Mount Union and 42-13 by Football Championship Subdivision team Butler, before winning their next eight, including three straight shutouts midseason.

Franklin closed its regular season by beating archrival Hanover 58-29 to win the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference championship and secure its fifth playoff appearance in six years.

Three Bulldog defenders were selected as first team All-MIAA this season. They are end Aaron Gray, linebacker Deontae Bridgeman and safety Charles Fleck. Junior linebacker Hunter Juntunen, linebacker Joe Makowski and tackle Kevin Kleine were chosen second team All-MIAA.

On offense, the Bulldogs used a running game by committee, as Kyle Smock led the team with 563 yards on 119 carries. Dae'Von Robinson (481 yards), Danny Cobb (331 yards) and Damon Brown (235 yards) were also key parts of the running contingent. Quarterbacks Taylor Copacia and Aaron Tenney were efficient, averaging 178.5 yards per game and throwing for 12 touchdowns.

Justin Hemm had 66 catches for 1,090 yards and 10 touchdowns to lead the receiving corps. Hemm is a three-time All-MIAA performer and earned four league Player of the Week honors this season. He cemented his reputation as a big-play performer with 23 plays gaining at least 30 yards.

For Franklin, Johnny West is statistically one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the nation, completing 67 percent of his passes for 2,589 yards with 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Primary target Kyle Linville has 65 catches for 1,096 yards with 17 TDs.

Adrian and Franklin had one common opponent this season. Adrian beat Defiance College 23-13 in Sept. 8. Franklin topped the Yellow Jackets 35-14 Oct. 27 in a HCAC contest.

The winner of Saturday's game will play either the winner between Mary Hardin-Baylor (10-0) and Louisiana College (8-2). The other side of the bracket has Cortland State (8-1) hosting Framington State (10-1) and Wesley (8-1) hosting Mount Ida (8-2).